Audio/video output device

ABSTRACT

An audio/video output device includes a first output component for video and audio output, a second output component for audio output, a video memory and a controller that determines whether an external device connected to the second output component supports video input, and outputs predetermined video signal stored in the video memory from the second output component to display a message screen on the external device connected to the second output component in response to determining that the external device connected to the second output component supports the video input.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/986,904 filed on May 23, 2018, which claims priority to JapanesePatent Application No. 2017-121037 filed on Jun. 21, 2017. The entiredisclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/986,904 and JapanesePatent Application No. 2017-121037 are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to an audio/video output device.

Background Information

HDMI™ (high-definition multimedia interface) is a conventional standardfor transmitting video and audio as digital signals. The HDMI system ismade up of a source device, a sink device, and an HDMI cable. The sourcedevice is a device on the side that outputs video and audio. The sinkdevice is a device on the side where video and audio are inputted. TheHDMI cable is a cable that connects these devices. An example of adisplay device related to HDMI is disclosed in International PublicationNo. WO 2013/099369 (Patent Literature 1), for example.

In addition to a normal HDMI port for outputting video and audio, somesource devices have a dedicated audio HDMI port for outputting justaudio (out of the video and audio).

SUMMARY

With the above-mentioned source device, a display device (a televisionset, a monitor, or the like) can be mistakenly connected as a sinkdevice to the dedicated audio HDMI port. In this case, since no videocan be outputted from the dedicated audio HDMI port, no video isdisplayed on the display device. In particular, an HDMI port is oftenlocated on the back of a device. Thus, in many cases, when connectingthe HDMI cable to the HDMI port after installing the device, the userhas to make the connection by feel, and the user does not visually checkthat the port is a dedicated audio HDMI port. Therefore, there is a casein which the user does not notice that the display device is mistakenlyconnected to the dedicated audio HDMI port. As a result, the user canerroneously conclude that a malfunction has occurred in the device dueto the fact that no video is displayed on the display device.

Also, by blocking off the dedicated audio HDMI port with a sticker, theuser can tell that the port with the sticker is a dedicated audio HDMIport. However, even in that case, once the sticker is peeled off, thenit is difficult to tell which port is a dedicated audio HDMI port, andthe user can accidentally connect a display device to the dedicatedaudio HDMI port.

Patent Literature 1 is conceived for easily and correctly connecting aplurality of HDMI cables between a display device and a source device.However, Patent Literature 1 is not directed to dealing with a problemencountered with a source device having a dedicated audio HDMI port.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide an audio/video outputdevice with which user convenience is improved in a configuration havingan output component dedicated to audio alone.

In view of the state of the known technology and in accordance with afirst aspect, an audio/video output device includes a first outputcomponent for video and audio output, a second output component foraudio output, a video memory and a controller that determines whether anexternal device connected to the second output component supports videoinput, and outputs predetermined video signal stored in the video memoryfrom the second output component to display a message screen on theexternal device connected to the second output component in response todetermining that the external device connected to the second outputcomponent supports the video input.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an audio/videotransmission system in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control process in a BD playback devicein accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 3A illustrates tables showing connection states of HDMI ports andresource allocation states, and a schematic diagram showing a memoryarea of a video memory in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 3B illustrates tables showing connection states of HDMI ports andresource allocation states, and a schematic diagram showing a memoryarea of a video memory in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 3C illustrates tables showing connection states of HDMI ports andresource allocation states, and a schematic diagram showing a memoryarea of a video memory in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 3D illustrates tables showing connection states of HDMI ports andresource allocation states, and a schematic diagram showing a memoryarea of a video memory in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for notifying a user;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control processing in a BD playbackdevice in accordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a video output format table;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control processing in a BD playbackdevice in accordance with a third embodiment;

FIG. 8A illustrates tables showing connection states of HDMI ports andresource allocation states, and a schematic diagram showing a memoryarea of a video memory in accordance with a fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 8B illustrates tables showing connection states of HDMI ports andresource allocation states, and a schematic diagram showing a memoryarea of a video memory in accordance with the fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Here,a system using HDMI™ (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) will bedescribed as an example of an audio/video transmission system.

1. First Embodiment

1.1 Device Configuration

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an audio/videotransmission system in accordance with a first embodiment. Theaudio/video transmission system shown in FIG. 1 has a BD (Blu-ray Disc™)playback device 100 (e.g., a BD player), a television set 200, and asink device SY2. The BD playback device 100 is a source device, and anexample of an audio/video output device. The television set 200 is anexample of a sink device SY1 (e.g., an audio/video input device).

Referring to FIG. 1, the BD playback device 100 will be described indetail. FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a configuration inside ahousing of the BD playback device 100. The BD playback device 100 has afunction of playing a storage medium, such as a BD or a DVD, andoutputting the played video and audio to the outside. In the illustratedembodiment, the BD playback device 100 has a main port T1 (e.g., a firstoutput component) and a sub port T2 (e.g., a second output component).The main port T1 is an ordinary HDMI port (terminal) for outputtingvideo and audio. Thus, the main port T1 is a terminal for video andaudio output. The sub port T2 is an ordinary HDMI port (terminal) forbasically outputting only audio out of the video and audio (i.e., anaudio output port). Thus, the sub port T2 is a terminal for audiooutput. With the BD playback device 100, there is one main port and onesub port (i.e., dual HDMI outputs). However, there can be two or more ofeach.

In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the BD playbackdevice 100 and the television set 200 are connected with an HDMI cable150. Specifically, one end of the HDMI cable 150 is connected to themain port T1, while the other end of the HDMI cable 150 is connected toan HDMI port (not shown) of the television set 200. The video and audioplayed by the BD playback device 100 are transmitted from the main portT1 to the television set 200 via the HDMI cable 150. Then, the video isdisplayed on a display component 201 (e.g., a display) of the televisionset 200, and audio is emitted from a speaker 202 of the television set200. Of course, the sink device SY1 connected to the main port T1 is notlimited to the television set 200, and can be other types of devices,such as a monitor. Also, the sink device SY1 connected to the main portT1 is not limited to a device that supports video and audio input, andcan be other types of devices that only support video input out of thevideo and audio.

When the BD playback device 100 is shipped from the factory, a sticker Sis stuck on the front surface of the sub port T2 to cover the sub portT2 by the sticker S. Thus, the sub port T2 cannot be seen by a user. Thesticker S tells the user that the sub port T2 is a dedicated audio HDMIport. The user can remove the sticker S to connect an HDMI cable to thesub port T2 to connect the sink device SY2 to the BD playback device100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sub port T2 is a dedicated audio HDMIport. Thus, a dedicated audio device, such as an amplifier, a speaker,and the like, which does not basically support video input, is connectedto the sub port T2 using the HDMI cable. This allows the audio played bythe BD playback device 100 to be transmitted from the sub port T2 to thededicated audio device (the sink device SY2) via the HDMI cable. In theillustrated embodiment, the main port T1 and the sub port T2 have thesame shape with respect to each other such that the same HDMI cable withthe same connector is connectable to the main port T1 and the sub portT2. However, as mentioned above, the main port T1 and the sub port T2are different from each other in that the sub port T2 is a dedicatedaudio HDMI port. Specifically, the sub port T2 is indicated as being adedicated audio HDMI port by sticking the sticker S on the sub port T2and/or using an indicator, such as a character string, a symbol, and thelike. Furthermore, the main port T1 and the sub port T2 can beconfigured to support the same HDMI version. However, the sub port T2can be configured to only support an older HDMI version than that of themain port T1 in case that the sub port T2 does not need to support videosignal with higher resolution, such as 4K, for example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the BD playback device 100 comprises an optical discdrive 1, a controller 2, a video decoder 3, a video mixer 4, an OSDcomponent 5, a scaler 6, a video memory 7, a TMDS encoder 8, a TMDSdriver 9, an audio decoder 10, an audio mixer 11, an audio memory 12, aTMDS encoder 13, a TMDS driver 14, the main port T1, and the sub portT2.

The optical disc drive 1 plays a loaded BD or DVD, and outputs playedvideo signals and audio signals. The video signal outputted from theoptical disc drive 1 is inputted to the video decoder 3 and decoded bythe video decoder 3. The decoded video signal is mixed by the videomixer 4 and then sent to the scaler 6. Of course, the optical disc drive1 can be other types of playback devices that can play video contentstored on a storage device internally or externally provided relative tothe BD playback device 100. In the illustrated embodiment, thecontroller 2 basically includes a microcomputer or processor. Thecontroller 2 can further include other conventional components such asan input interface circuit, an output interface circuit, and storagedevices, such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) device and a RAM (RandomAccess Memory) device, flash memory, etc. For example, the internal RAMof the controller 2 stores processing results of the controller 2. Theinternal ROM of the controller 2 stores the information and programs forvarious operations. It will be apparent to those skilled in the field ofaudio/video output devices from this disclosure that the precisestructure and algorithms for the controller 2 can be any combination ofhardware and software that will carry out the functions of the BDplayback device 100 as described herein.

The scaler 6 is an electronic device that performs resolution conversionprocessing on the inputted video signal. For example, the scaler 6outputs the video signal inputted at the resolution of 4K as it is witha resolution of 4K, or outputs the video signal that has been convertedto a resolution of 2K. 2K is a resolution corresponding to image qualityin so-called HDTV of 1920×1080=approximately 2 million pixels. 4K is aresolution of 3840×2160=approximately 8 million pixels, which is fourtimes the resolution of 2K, and corresponds to image quality exceedingthat of HDTV. The video memory 7 stores the video signal outputted fromthe scaler 6.

The audio signal outputted from the optical disc drive 1 is inputted tothe audio decoder 10 and decoded by the audio decoder 10. The decodedaudio signal is mixed by the audio mixer 11 and then sent to the audiomemory 12. The audio memory 12 stores the audio signal that is sent.

The video signal stored in the video memory 7 and the audio signalstored in the audio memory 12 are inputted to the TMDS encoder 8. TheTMDS encoder 8 converts the inputted video and audio signals into TMDS(transition minimized differential signaling) data. TMDS is atransmission system for video and audio, and has three data channels andone clock channel. The TMDS data is transmitted through the TMDS driver9 from the main port T1 to the external sink device SY1. The sink deviceSY1 is connected to the main port T1 by an HDMI cable. The sink deviceSY1 is, for example, a device that supports at least video input, suchas the monitor or the television set 200 shown in FIG. 1.

The sink device SY2 can be connected to the sub port T2, which is adedicated audio HDMI port, via HDMI cable. When a sink device SY2 thatdoes not support video input is connected to the sub port T2, the audiosignal stored in the audio memory 12 is converted into TMDS data by theTMDS encoder 13, and TMDS data can be transmitted from the sub port T2via the TMDS driver 14 to the sink device SY2.

The entire storage area (memory area) of the video memory 7 is basicallyallocatable for the main port T1. However, as will be discussed below,at least part of the storage area can be allocated for the sub port T2in some cases. In this case, the video signal stored in theabove-mentioned area of the video memory 7 is converted into TMDS databy the TMDS encoder 13 and transmitted from the sub port T2 to the sinkdevice SY2 via the TMDS driver 14.

Also, communication between the BD playback device 100, which is asource apparatus, and the sink device is performed using DDC (displaydata channel) and CEC (consumer electronics control), in addition to theTMDS data, by the HDMI connections between the sink device SY1 and themain port T1 and between the sink device SY2 and the sub port T2. EDID(extended display identification data) information, which is informationabout the configuration, state, and so forth of the sink device, can betransmitted to the BD playback device 100 using DDC. Also, complicatedcontrol between devices can be performed using CEC.

Also, the OSD component 5 generates an OSD (on-screen display) videosignal and outputs it to the video mixer 4. At the video mixer 4, it ispossible to superimpose an OSD video signal over the video signalinputted from the video decoder 3. The controller 2 controls the variouscomponents of the BD playback device 100. Basically, the video decoder3, the video mixer 4, the OSD component 5, the scaler 6, the videomemory 7, the TMDS encoder 8, the TMDS driver 9, the audio decoder 10,the audio mixer 11, the audio memory 12, the TMDS encoder 13 and theTMDS driver 14 can include conventional configuration and be formed ofconventional electrical circuits or circuitry, for example, and thusdetailed descriptions of the configurations will not be omitted for thesake of brevity.

1.2 Control Processing in Source Device

As discussed above, the main port T1 and the sub port T2, which are HDMIports, are disposed on the back of the BD playback device 100 (thesource device). Thus, the user has to fumble around to connect the sinkdevice to the HDMI port with the HDMI cable. In this case, a sink device(television set or the like) supporting video input can be mistakenlyconnected to the sub port T2 although it is supposed to be connected tothe main port T1.

Also, after the sticker S that covers the sub port T2 is peeled off, itis hard to tell that the sub port T2 is a dedicated audio HDMI port.Thus, the user can mistakenly connect a sink device that supports videoinput to the sub port T2.

In view of this, in this embodiment, if this should happen, there is afunction of notifying the user that the connection is wrong. Thisfunction will now be described in detail. The control processing in theBD playback device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 2.

When the sink device SY2 is connected to the sub port T2 by HDMI cable,once this is detected, the processing of FIG. 2 is commenced. Althoughnot shown in FIG. 2, when the processing starts, the controller 2allocates the audio memory 12 for the sub-port T2.

First, in step S1, the controller 2 acquires EDID information (anexample of identification information) via the sub port T2 bycommunication from the connected sink device SY2. Then, in step S2, thecontroller 2 determines whether or not the sink device SY2 supportsvideo input based on the acquired EDID information. If the sink deviceSY2 does not support video input (No in step S2), then the flow proceedsto step S3. Specifically, in step S3, the controller 2 outputs the audiosignal stored in the audio memory 12 from the sub port T2 to the sinkdevice SY2 via the TMDS encoder 13 and the TMDS driver 14. This makes itpossible to input audio to the sink device SY2 (amplifier, speaker,etc.), which is a dedicated audio device. In the illustrated embodiment,EDID information is utilized as an example of identificationinformation. However, other types of metadata to describe capabilitiesof the sink device SY2 can be utilized to determine whether or not thesink device SY2 supports video input.

On the other hand, if the sink device SY2 supports video input (Yes instep S2), then the flow proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the controller2 specifies a predetermined video output format supported by theconnected sink device SY2 based on the EDID information acquired in stepS1. Then, the setting of the scaler 6 and the allocation of the storagearea of the video memory 7 are carried out according to the specifiedvideo output format. Examples of the video output format here includethe resolution, scanning method (interlace or progressive), refresh rate(frame rate), dynamic range (HDR), and color space expression method(RGB or YCbCr). All of these affect the amount of memory that is used.In the following description of the embodiment, as an example, it isassumed that the video output format is resolution, scanning method, andrefresh rate.

The allocation of the storage area of the video memory 7 will now bedescribed. FIG. 3A illustrates a table showing HDMI ports, the sinkdevices connected to these HDMI ports and the signals outputted fromthose ports, a table showing where the audio memory 12 and the audiomixer 11 are allocated, and a diagram showing an allocation state of thestorage area in the video memory 7. The same applies to FIGS. 3B to 3D(discussed below).

FIG. 3A shows a state in which the sink device SY1 (a television set) isconnected to the main port T1, and no sink device SY2 is connected tothe sub port T2. In this case, the entire storage area of the videomemory 7 is allocated for the main port T1. The storage area of thevideo memory 7 is an area corresponding to 4K, which is the maximumresolution that the BD playback device 100 can output. Both the audiomemory 12 and the audio mixer 11 are allocated for the main port T1.Consequently, the 4K video signal stored in the video memory 7 and theaudio signal stored in the audio memory 12 are transmitted from the mainport T1 to the sink device SY1 via the TMDS encoder 8 and the TMDSdriver 9. Consequently, with the sink device SY1 (a television set),video at 4K are displayed and audio is generated.

FIG. 3B shows a state in which the sink device SY1 (a television set) isconnected to the main port T1, and the sink device SY2 (an amplifier) isconnected to the sub port T2. In this case, the entire storage area ofthe video memory 7 is allocated for the main port T1. Also, the start ofprocessing in FIG. 2 causes the audio memory 12 to be allocated for thesub port T2 (step S3). Consequently, the 4K video signal stored in thevideo memory 7 is transmitted from the main port T1 to the sink deviceSY1 through the TMDS encoder 8 and the TMDS driver 9. Consequently,video at 4K is displayed on the sink device SY1 (a television set).Also, in step S3, the audio signal stored in the audio memory 12 istransmitted from the sub port T2 to the sink device SY2 via the TMDSencoder 13 and the TMDS driver 14. Consequently, audio is inputted tothe sink device SY2 (an amplifier).

FIG. 3C shows a state in which no sink device SY1 is connected to themain port T1, and the television set (the sink device SY2) supportingvideo input is connected to the sub port T2. In this case, in step S4,part of the storage area of the video memory 7 is allocated to the subport T2 supporting 1080p (2K progressive), which is an example of thepredetermined video output format supported by the sink device SY2. Thatis, part of the storage area of the video memory 7 for the main port T1is allocated for the sub port T2, and the remaining area can be used forthe main port T1. Consequently, the performance of video output for themain port T1 with respect to the video output format is limited. Thestart of the processing in FIG. 2 causes the audio memory 12 to beallocated for the sub port T2.

After allocating the video memory 7 as shown in FIG. 3C, for example,the flow proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the controller 2 uses thescaler 6 and the allocated area of the video memory 7 to transmit an OSDvideo signal of the above-mentioned predetermined video output formatfrom the sub port T2 to the sink device SY2 via the TMDS decoder 13 andthe TMDS driver 14.

Here, the notification screen shown in FIG. 4, for example, is displayedon the sink device SY2 by the OSD video signal. In the example in FIG.4, the notification screen is a notification screen indicating that thesub port T2 to which the sink device SY2 is connected is dedicated toaudio, and prompting the user to connect the sink device SY2 (a videodevice) to the main port T1.

Next, the flow proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the controller 2 againacquires EDID information from the sink device SY2 via the sub port T2.In step S7, the controller 2 then determines whether or not the sinkdevice SY2 is properly receiving the video, based on the acquired EDIDinformation.

If the video reception at the sink device SY2 is not proper (No in stepS7), then the flow returns to step S4. Then, the controller 2 changesthe video output format for which the sink device SY2 is supportingbased on the EDID information, and performs allocation of the videomemory 7, etc., using the changed video output format.

For example, FIG. 3D shows a case in which the 1080p video output formatshown in FIG. 3C is changed to the 480i (SDTV interlaced) video outputformat. In this case, the area allocated for the sub port T2 in thestorage area of the video memory 7 (e.g., the allocation amount of thevideo memory 7) is made smaller than in the case in FIG. 3C. As aresult, the area that is allocatable for the main port T1 in the videomemory 7 can be increased as compared with FIG. 3C.

After step S4, the processing from step S5 onward is performed in thesame manner as described above, and the video output format is changedin step S4 until video reception becomes proper in step S7. Once videois properly received in step S7 (Yes in step S7), then the flow proceedsto step S8.

In step S8, the controller 2 determines whether a predetermined releaseoperation has been performed. The release operation is, for example, anoperation such as pressing a predetermined key on the remote control(not shown) for remotely and externally controlling the BD playbackdevice 100. The release operation is performed when the sink device SY2is an amplifier or the like that is supporting video input. Morespecifically, if this amplifier is connectable to a display device alongwith the source device, then EDID information indicative of video inputsupport is outputted from the amplifier to the source device in somecases. In this case, in step S2, it is determined that the sink deviceSY2 supports video input according to the EDID information although theuser does not accidentally or mistakenly connect the sink device SY2(amplifier) to sub port T2. Thus, the OSD video signal for theabove-mentioned notification screen is outputted from the BD playbackdevice 100.

In response, since the user has not mistakenly connected the sink deviceSY2 to the sub port T2 in this case, the user performs theabove-mentioned release operation. Until the release operation isperformed, the system is in a standby state (No in step S8). Once therelease operation is performed (Yes in step S8), then the flow proceedsto step S9. In step S9, the controller 2 stops the output of the OSDvideo signal from the sub port T2. Then, the flow proceeds to step S10.In step S10, the controller 2 changes the setting such that the entirestorage area of the video memory 7 is made allocatable for the main portT1. Then, the flow proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the controller 2causes the audio signal stored in the audio memory 12 to be outputtedfrom the sub port T2 to the sink device SY2 via the TMDS encoder 13 andthe TMDS driver 14. Processing is completed in step S11.

Also, if a sink device SY2 supporting video input (a television set,etc.) has been mistakenly connected to the sub port T2, then the usercan look at the notification screen displayed on the sink device SY2 andcan unplug the HDMI cable connected to the sink device SY2 from the subport T2 to reconnect the sink device SY2 to the main port T1. Thus, inthe standby state in step S8, if it is detected that the sub port T2 andthe sink device SY2 have been disconnected, then the controller 2 canfurther stop the output of the OSD video signal from the sub port T2, inaddition to the processing shown in FIG. 2. Then, the controller 2changes the setting such that the entire storage area of the videomemory 7 is made allocatable for the main port T1. Of course, instead ofperforming this detection of the disconnection separately from thedetection of the release operation in step S8, this detection of thedisconnection can be performed as a part of the detection of the releaseoperation. In other words, in step S8, the controller 2 can determinewhether or not the release operation is performed or the sub port T2 andthe sink device SY2 are disconnected. Then, if the release operation isperformed or the sub port T2 and the sink device SY2 are disconnected,then the flow proceeds to step S9.

With this embodiment, even if a sink device SY2 supporting video inputis accidentally connected to the dedicated audio sub port T2, part ofthe storage area of the video memory 7 for the main port T1 can betemporarily allocated for the sub port T2. This allows the OSD videosignal for the notification screen to be outputted to the sink deviceSY2, and allows the user to be alerted that the connection is wrong.Therefore, the user is less likely to mistakenly think that amalfunction or the like has occurred. This effect can be achievedwithout adding any particular hardware resources, which keeps the costlow. Also, this means that the sub port T2 does not have to be coveredwith a sticker at the factory, so that sticker can be eliminated.

In this embodiment, in particular, it is determined whether video isproperly received by the sink device SY2 while changing the setting ofvideo output format for the sub port T2. Thus, the OSD video signal forthe notification screen can be outputted to the sink device SY2 with thevideo output format once the video reception becomes proper. Therefore,the user more will more reliably see the notification screen.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured toallocate at least part of the storage area of the video memory 7 to thesub port T2 in response to determining that the sink device SY2connected to the sub port T2 supports video input.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured totemporarily allocate at least part of the storage area that has beenallocated to the main port T1 to the sub port T2, and configured tooutput the OSD video signal (e.g., predetermined video signal) from thesub port T2 using the allocated part of the storage area.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured to changethe video output format setting based on the EDID information (e.g.,information) acquired from the sink device SY2 about reception status ofthe OSD video signal at the sink device SY2 to output the OSD videosignal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured to makeall of the storage area allocatable to the main port T1 based on thepredetermined operation while outputting the OSD video signal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured to makeall of the storage area allocatable to the main port T1 in response todetecting the disconnection of the sink device SY2 relative to the subport T2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured to outputthe audio signal from the sub port T2 in response to determining thatthe sink device SY2 does not support the video input (step S12).

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured to acquirethe EDID information (e.g., identification information) of the sinkdevice SY2 from the sink device SY2 in response to detecting that thesink device SY2 is connected to the sub port T2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured todetermine whether the sink device SY2 supports the video input based onthe EDID information.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured toallocate the audio memory 12 to the main port T1 to output the audiosignal from the main port T1 in response to determining that no sinkdevice SY2 is connected to the sub port T2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured to changethe video output format setting of the OSD video signal, and configuredto determine the allocation amount of the video memory 7 to be allocatedto the sub port T2 according to the video output format setting of theOSD video signal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured to outputthe OSD video signal from the sub port T2 to display on the sink deviceSY2 the notification screen indicating that the sub port T2 is dedicatedto the audio output.

In the illustrated embodiment, the scaler 6 (e.g., the video scaler) isfurther provided that is configured to change the video output format ofthe OSD video signal.

2. Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will now be described. The source device inthis embodiment is configured the same as the BD playback device 100 inthe first embodiment discussed above. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing thecontrol processing performed by the BD playback device 100 in thisembodiment. The following description of the processing in accordancewith the second embodiment will be focused on the differences from theprocessing in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment.

The processing in FIG. 5 starts when it is detected that the sink deviceSY2 is connected to the sub port T2, which is the same as in FIG. 2. Instep S11, the controller 2 acquires EDID information from the sinkdevice SY2 via the sub port T2.

In step S11, the controller 2 produces a video output format table madeup of video output formats supported by the sink device SY2 based on theacquired EDID information. An example of the video output format tableis shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the table is made up of six differentsettings of the video output formats supported by the sink device SY2.This video output format table does not necessarily have to be produced,and instead can be prepared and stored in advance as a fixed presettable having general settings of the video output formats, for example.

If the sink device SY2 is supporting video input in step S12 (Yes instep S12), then the flow proceeds to step S14. In step S14, thecontroller 2 selects a predetermined video output format included in thevideo output format table that has been produced. Then, the controller 2further carries out a setting of the scaler 6 and an allocation of thestorage area of the video memory 7 according to the selected videooutput format.

Next, in step S15, the controller 2 uses the scaler 6 and the allocatedareas of the video memory 7 and transmits an OSD video signal in theabove-mentioned predetermined video output format from the sub port T2,through the TMDS decoder 13 and the TMDS driver 14, to the sink deviceSY2. Then, the controller 2 waits for a predetermined length of time,and the flow proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the controller 2determines whether a release operation has been performed. If it has not(No in step S17), then the flow returns to step S14. Here, thecontroller 2 selects another video output format besides the one in theprevious step S14 included in the video output format table that hasbeen produced, and allocates the storage area of the video memory 7.

After step S14, the processing from step S15 onward is carried out thesame as discussed above, and the video output format is changed in stepS14 until the release operation is performed in step S17. Just as in thefirst embodiment, when it is detected that the sub port T2 and the sinkdevice SY2 have been disconnected, then the flow moves to processing notshown in FIG. 5, and the setting is changed such that the entire storagearea of the video memory 7 is made allocatable for the main port T1. Asin the first embodiment, this detection of the disconnection can beperformed separately from the detection of the release operation in stepS17. Of course, this detection of the disconnection can be performed asa part of the detection of the release operation. In other words, instep S17, the controller 2 can determine whether or not the releaseoperation is performed or the sub port T2 and the sink device SY2 aredisconnected. Then, if the release operation is performed or the subport T2 and the sink device SY2 are disconnected, then the flow proceedsto step S18.

This embodiment provides the same effect as the first embodiment. Inparticular, in this embodiment, the notification screen is outputted ina loop while the selection of the video output format in the producedvideo output format table is changed at regular time intervals. Thus,the user is able to view the notification screen more reliably. In thefirst embodiment, the proper video reception is determined based on theEDID information. On the other hand, it is effective to adopt theprocessing in accordance with this embodiment when there is apossibility of an erroneous determination in the above-mentioneddetermination based on the EDID information due to an instability of theEDID information.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured to changethe video output format setting at the regular time interval to outputthe OSD video signal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured to changethe video output format setting based on the EDID information acquiredfrom the sink device SY2 about the video output format supported by thesink device SY2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured torepeatedly change the video output format setting of the OSD videosignal until detecting the predetermined operation relative to the BDplayback device 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured torepeatedly change the video output format setting of the OSD videosignal until detecting the disconnection of the sink device SY2 relativeto the sub port T2.

3. Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will now be described. This embodiment involvesmodifying the first embodiment or the second embodiment in terms of thecontrol processing done by the BD playback device 100. Here, processingthat is a modification of the second embodiment will be describedthrough reference to the flowchart in FIG. 7.

Specifically, the processing in FIG. 7 is basically identical to theprocessing in FIG. 5, except that the processing in FIG. 7 includessteps S24, S25, and S29. In other words, steps S21-S23, S26-S28 andS30-833 in FIG. 7 are basically identical to steps S11-S20 in FIG. 5,respectively, and thus will not be described again for the sake ofbrevity.

If the sink device SY2 is supporting video input in step S22 (Yes instep S22), then the flow proceeds to step S24. In step S24, thecontroller 2 determines whether a sink device SY1 (external videodevice) supporting video input is connected to the main port T1. If oneis connected (Yes in step S24), then it is concluded that the sinkdevice SY2 has not been mistakenly connected to the sub port T2, and theflow proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the controller 2 outputs theaudio signal stored in the audio memory 12 from the sub port T2, throughthe TMDS encoder 13 and the TMDS driver 14, to the sink device SY2.

On the other hand, in step S24, if a sink device SY1 is not connected tothe main port T1 (No in step S24), then the flow proceeds to step S26.In step S26, an allocation of the storage area of the video memory 7 forthe sub port T2, etc., is performed. After a wait of a predeterminedlength of time in step S28, the flow proceeds to step S29. In step S29,the controller 2 determines whether a sink device SY1 supporting videoinput is connected to the main port T1. If one is not connected (No instep S29), then the flow proceeds to step S30. In step S30, it isdetermined whether a release operation has been performed.

When no sink device SY1 is connected to the main port T1 and no releaseoperation is performed (No in step S29 and No in step S30), then theflow returns to step S26 and the setting of the video output format ischanged. If a sink device SY1 is connected to the main port T1 in stepS29 (Yes in step S29), or if a release operation has been performed instep S30 (Yes in step S30), then the flow proceeds to step S31. In stepS31, the controller 2 stops the output of the OSD video signal from thesub port T2. Then, the flow proceeds to step S32. In step S32, thecontroller 2 changes the setting such that that the entire storage areaof the video memory 7 is made allocatable for the main port T1. Then,the flow proceeds to step S33. In step S33, the controller 2 outputs theaudio signal stored in the audio memory 12 from the sub port T2 to thesink device SY2 via the TMDS encoder 13 and TMDS driver 14. Theprocessing is completed in step S33.

Just as in the second embodiment, when it is detected that the sub portT2 and the sink device SY2 have been disconnected, then the flow movesto processing not shown in FIG. 7 to change the setting such that theentire storage area of the video memory 7 is made allocatable for themain port T1.

This embodiment provides the same effect as the first embodiment. Inparticular, in this embodiment, by performing determination in step S24,if the sink device SY1 has already been connected to the main port T1when the sink device SY2 is connected to the sub port T2, then audio canbe outputted from the sub port T2 to the sink device SY2 since it can beconcluded that the sink device SY2 is not mistakenly connected. Also, byperforming determination in step S29, if the sink device SY1 isconnected to the main port T1 after the sink device SY2 is connected tothe sub port T2, then audio can be outputted from the sub port T2 to thesink device SY2 since it can be concluded that the sink device SY2 isnot mistakenly connected.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured to outputthe audio signal from the sink device SY2 without allocating the storagearea of the video memory 7 to the sub port T2 while a sink device SY1(e.g., an external video device) is connected to the main port T1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured to makeall of the storage area of the video memory 7 allocatable to the mainport T1 in response to detecting the connection of the sink device SY1(e.g., the external video device) relative to the main port T1 whileoutputting the OSD video signal.

4. Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment will now be described. The source device inthis embodiment is the BD playback device 100 having the configurationshown in FIG. 1. However, the control method is different from those inthe first to third embodiments.

Here, in this embodiment, the main port T1 conforms to HDMI 2.0 thatsupports 4K, and the sub port T2 conforms to HDMI 1.4 that does notsupport 4K, but supports 2K. In this embodiment, when the sink deviceSY2 is connected to the sub port T2, the controller 2 determines whetherthe video output format supported by the sink device SY2 is supported bythe sub port T2 that conforms to HDMI 1.4, based on the EDID informationor the like acquired from the sink device SY2. If the controller 2determines that the video output format is supported by the sub port T2,then the controller 2 allocates the area corresponding to the abovevideo output format in the storage area of the video memory 7 for thesub port T2, and make the remaining area unavailable for the main portT1.

For example, FIG. 8A shows a state in which no sink device SY1 isconnected to the main port T1, and the sink device SY2 (a televisionset) supporting the 1080p video output format is connected to the subport T2. In this case, since the 1080p video output format is supportedby HDMI 1.4, the area corresponding to the 1080p video output format instorage areas of the video memory 7 is allocated for the sub port T2,and the remaining area is made unavailable for the main port T1. Thatis, the right to use the video memory 7 is switched from the main portT1 to the sub port T2. Also, the audio memory 12 is allocated to thesink device SY2. Consequently, the video signal stored in the videomemory 7 and the audio signal stored in the audio memory 12 aretransmitted from the sub port T2 to the sink device SY2 via the TMDSencoder 13 and the TMDS driver 14.

Consequently, even when the sink device SY2 is accidentally connected tothe sub port T2, video and audio can be outputted to the sink device SY2just as they are, thereby improving user convenience.

Also, when the state shown in FIG. 8A is changed to a state in which thesink device SY1 (amplifier) is further connected to the main port T1 asshown in FIG. 8B, for example, then the controller 2 can allocate theaudio memory 12 to the main port T1 while the right to use the videomemory 7 is switched to the sub port T2. In this case, the audio signalstored in the audio memory 12 can be outputted from the main port T1 tothe sink device SY1 via the TMDS encoder 8 and the TMDS driver 9. Thatis, just audio can be outputted from the main port T1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured toallocate the at least part of the storage area of the video memory 7 tothe sub port T2 and switch the right to use of the video memory 7 fromthe main port T1 to the sub port T2 in response to determining that thevideo output format supported by the sink device SY2 is supported by thesub port T2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 2 is configured to switchthe right to use and allow the main port T1 to output only the audiosignal.

Embodiments of the present invention are described above, but variousmodifications to these embodiments are possible within the scope of thegist of the present invention.

For example, in step S4 in FIG. 2, or in step S14 in FIG. 5, theallocation of the storage area of the video memory 7 for the sub port T2need not be performed every time the video output format is changed.Instead, an area corresponding to the video output format at which thelargest amount of memory is used out of all the video output formatcandidates can be allocated just one time. Consequently, thenotification screen can be outputted while changing the video outputformat, even though the allocation is not changed.

In the illustrated embodiments, the BD playback device 100 is discussedas an example of a source device. However, the source device is notlimited to the BD playback device 100, and can be other types of devicesfrom which data is originated, such as a BD recorder, a HDD recorder, aset-top box, and the like. Also, the television set 200 is discussed asan example of a sink device. However, the sink device can also be othertypes of destination devices that receives data over communications witha source device, such as a display having a speaker, and the like.

[1] In view of the state of the known technology and in accordance witha first aspect, an audio/video output device comprises a first outputcomponent for video and audio output, a second output component foraudio output, a video memory, and a controller. The video memory isconfigured to store video signal. The controller is configured toallocate at least part of an area of the video memory to the secondoutput component in response to determining that an external deviceconnected to the second output component supports video input.

With this configuration, the first output component can be configured tooutput video and audio. The second output component can be configured tooutput only the audio of the video and audio. With this configuration,even when a user mistakenly connects a video device supporting videoinput to the second output component dedicated for audio, at least thepart of a storage area of the video memory is allocated to the secondoutput component. Thus, it is possible to output video from the secondoutput component, and the user will be less likely to mistakenlyconclude that a malfunction has occurred, etc. Therefore, userconvenience can be improved.

[2] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to theaudio/video output device, the controller is configured to temporarilyallocate at least part of the area that has been allocated to the firstoutput component to the second output component, and configured tooutput predetermined video signal from the second output component usingthe allocated part of the area.

With this configuration, by outputting the predetermined video signalfrom the second output component to the external device while allowingthe video output from the first output component, the user can benotified that the connection is incorrect.

[3] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to changevideo output format setting based on information acquired from theexternal device about reception status of the predetermined video signalat the external device to output the predetermined video signal.

With this configuration, the predetermined video signal can be outputtedin the video output format in which the external device properlyreceived the video. Thus, the user can be notified more reliably.

[4] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to changevideo output format setting at a regular time interval to output thepredetermined video signal.

With this configuration, the external device can properly receive thepredetermined video signal in a certain video output format setting.Thus, the user can be notified more reliably.

[5] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to changethe video output format setting based on information acquired from theexternal device about a video output format supported by the externaldevice.

With this configuration, the predetermined video signal can be properlyreceived more quickly according to the external device. Thus, the usercan be notified sooner.

[6] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to make allof the area allocatable to the first output component based on apredetermined operation while outputting the predetermined video signal.

With this configuration, if the connection of the external device to thesecond output component is not wrong, the user can perform apredetermined operation, which eliminates the restriction on the videooutput for the first output component.

[7] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to make allof the area allocatable to the first output component in response todetecting a disconnection of the external device relative to the secondoutput component.

With this configuration, if the user is alerted by notification by thepredetermined video signal that the connection is wrong, and disconnectsthe external device from the second output component, then therestriction on video output for the first output component can beeliminated.

[8] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to outputaudio from the second output component without allocating the area tothe second output component while an external video device is connectedto the first output component.

With this configuration, if an external video device has been connectedto the first output component when an external device is connected, thenit is concluded that the connection of the external device to the secondoutput component is not wrong, and audio can be outputted to theexternal device without any limitations on the video output for thefirst output component.

[9] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to make allof the area allocatable to the first output component in response todetecting a connection of the external video device relative to thefirst output component while outputting the predetermined video signal.

With this configuration, if no external video device is connected whenthe external device is connected, but an external video device issubsequently connected, then it is concluded that the connection of theexternal device to the second output component is not wrong, and thelimitation of the video output for the first output component can beeliminated.

[10] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to allocatethe at least part of the area to the second output component and switcha right to use of the video memory from the first output component tothe second output component in response to determining that a videooutput format supported by the external device is supported by thesecond output component.

With this configuration, even when an external device is accidentallyconnected to the second output component, the correct video can beautomatically outputted to the external device. Thus, the user does nothave to reconnect the cable, and user convenience can be improved.

[11] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to switchthe right to use and allow the first output component to output onlyaudio signal.

With this configuration, it is possible to output audio to a deviceconnected to the first output component while outputting video to anexternal device connected to the second output component.

[12] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to outputaudio signal from the second output component in response to determiningthat the external device does not support the video input.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one of theaudio/video output devices, the controller is configured to acquireidentification information of the external device from the externaldevice in response to detecting that the external device is connected tothe second output component.

[13] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to acquireidentification information of the external device from the externaldevice in response to detecting that the external device is connected tothe second output component, and the controller is configured todetermine whether the external device supports the video input based onthe identification information.

[14] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the audio/video output device furthercomprises an audio memory configured to store audio signal. Thecontroller is configured to allocate the audio memory to the firstoutput component to output the audio signal from the first outputcomponent in response to determining that no external device isconnected to the second output component.

[15] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to changevideo output format setting of the predetermined video signal, andconfigured to determine an allocation amount of the video memory to beallocated to the second output component according to the video outputformat setting of the predetermined video signal.

[16] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured to outputthe predetermined video signal from the second output component todisplay on the external device a screen indicating that the secondoutput component is dedicated to the audio output.

[17] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured torepeatedly change video output format setting of the predetermined videosignal until detecting a predetermined operation relative to theaudio/video output device.

[18] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the controller is configured torepeatedly change video output format setting of the predetermined videosignal until detecting a disconnection of the external device relativeto the second output component.

[19] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one ofthe audio/video output devices, the audio/video output device furthercomprises a video scaler configured to change video output format of thepredetermined video signal.

With the audio/video output device, user convenience can be improved ina configuration having an output component dedicated for audio.

In accordance with a first aspect an audio/video output devicecomprises: a first output component for video and audio output; a secondoutput component for audio output; a video memory that stores videosignal; and a controller that allocates at least part of an area of thevideo memory to the second output component in response to determiningthat an external device connected to the second output componentsupports video input.

In accordance with a second aspect, with the audio/video output deviceaccording to the first aspect, the controller temporarily allocates atleast part of the area that has been allocated to the first outputcomponent to the second output component, and outputs predeterminedvideo signal from the second output component using the allocated partof the area.

In accordance with a third aspect, with the audio/video output deviceaccording to the second aspect, the controller changes video outputformat setting based on information acquired from the external deviceabout reception status of the predetermined video signal at the externaldevice to output the predetermined video signal.

In accordance with a fourth aspect, with the audio/video output deviceaccording to the second aspect, the controller changes video outputformat setting at a regular time interval to output the predeterminedvideo signal.

In accordance with a fifth aspect, with the audio/video output deviceaccording to the fourth aspect, the controller changes the video outputformat setting based on information acquired from the external deviceabout a video output format supported by the external device.

In accordance with a sixth aspect, with the audio/video output deviceaccording to the second aspect, the controller makes all of the areaallocatable to the first output component based on a predeterminedoperation while outputting the predetermined video signal.

In accordance with a seventh aspect, with the audio/video output deviceaccording to the second aspect, the controller makes all of the areaallocatable to the first output component in response to detecting adisconnection of the external device relative to the second outputcomponent.

In accordance with an eighth aspect, with the audio/video output deviceaccording to the second aspect, the controller outputs audio signal fromthe second output component without allocating the area to the secondoutput component while an external video device is connected to thefirst output component.

In accordance with a ninth aspect, with the audio/video output deviceaccording to the eighth aspect, the controller makes all of the areaallocatable to the first output component in response to detecting aconnection of the external video device relative to the first outputcomponent while outputting the predetermined video signal.

In accordance with a tenth aspect, with the audio/video output deviceaccording to the first aspect, the controller allocates the at leastpart of the area to the second output component and switch a right touse of the video memory from the first output component to the secondoutput component in response to determining that a video output formatsupported by the external device is supported by the second outputcomponent.

In accordance with an eleventh aspect, with the audio/video outputdevice according to the tenth aspect, the controller switches the rightto use and allow the first output component to output only audio signal.

In accordance with a twelfth aspect, with the audio/video output deviceaccording to the first aspect, the controller outputs audio signal fromthe second output component in response to determining that the externaldevice does not support the video input.

In accordance with a thirteenth aspect, with the audio/video outputdevice according to the first aspect, the controller acquiresidentification information of the external device from the externaldevice in response to detecting that the external device is connected tothe second output component, and the controller determines whether theexternal device supports the video input based on the identificationinformation.

In accordance with a fourteenth aspect, the audio/video output deviceaccording to the first aspect further comprises an audio memory thatstores audio signal, the controller allocating the audio memory to thefirst output component to output the audio signal from the first outputcomponent in response to determining that no external device isconnected to the second output component.

In accordance with a fifteenth aspect, with the audio/video outputdevice according to the second aspect, the controller changes videooutput format setting of the predetermined video signal, and determinesan allocation amount of the video memory to be allocated to the secondoutput component according to the video output format setting of thepredetermined video signal.

In accordance with a sixteenth aspect, with the audio/video outputdevice according to the second aspect, the controller outputs thepredetermined video signal from the second output component to displayon the external device a screen indicating that the second outputcomponent is dedicated to the audio output.

In accordance with a seventeenth aspect, with the audio/video outputdevice according to the second aspect, the controller repeatedly changesvideo output format setting of the predetermined video signal untildetecting a predetermined operation relative to the audio/video outputdevice.

In accordance with an eighteenth aspect, with the audio/video outputdevice according to the second aspect, the controller repeatedly changesvideo output format setting of the predetermined video signal untildetecting a disconnection of the external device relative to the secondoutput component.

In accordance with a nineteenth aspect, the audio/video output deviceaccording to the second aspect further comprises a video scaler thatchanges video output format of the predetermined video signal.

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts unless otherwise stated.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, unless specifically stated otherwise,the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components canbe changed as needed and/or desired so long as the changes do notsubstantially affect their intended function. Unless specifically statedotherwise, components that are shown directly connected or contactingeach other can have intermediate structures disposed between them solong as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function.The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versaunless specifically stated otherwise. The structures and functions ofone embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessaryfor all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the sametime. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or incombination with other features, also should be considered a separatedescription of further inventions by the applicant, including thestructural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus,the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the presentinvention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose oflimiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An audio/video output device comprising: a firstoutput component for video and audio output; a second output componentfor audio output; a video memory; and a controller that determineswhether an external device connected to the second output componentsupports video input, and outputs predetermined video signal stored inthe video memory from the second output component to display a messagescreen on the external device connected to the second output componentin response to determining that the external device connected to thesecond output component supports the video input.
 2. The audio/videooutput device according to claim 1, wherein the controller temporarilyallocates at least part of an area of the video memory that has beenallocated to the first output component to the second output component,and outputs the predetermined video signal from the second outputcomponent using the allocated part of the area.
 3. The audio/videooutput device according to claim 2, wherein the controller changes videooutput format setting based on information acquired from the externaldevice about reception status of the predetermined video signal at theexternal device to output the predetermined video signal.
 4. Theaudio/video output device according to claim 2, wherein the controllerchanges video output format setting at a regular time interval to outputthe predetermined video signal.
 5. The audio/video output deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein the controller changes the video outputformat setting based on information acquired from the external deviceabout a video output format supported by the external device.
 6. Theaudio/video output device according to claim 2, wherein the controllermakes all of the area allocatable to the first output component based ona predetermined operation while outputting the predetermined videosignal.
 7. The audio/video output device according to claim 2, whereinthe controller makes all of the area allocatable to the first outputcomponent in response to detecting a disconnection of the externaldevice relative to the second output component.
 8. The audio/videooutput device according to claim 2, wherein, the controller outputsaudio signal from the second output component without allocating thearea to the second output component while an external video device isconnected to the first output component.
 9. The audio/video outputdevice according to claim 8, wherein the controller makes all of thearea allocatable to the first output component in response to detectinga connection of the external video device relative to the first outputcomponent while outputting the predetermined video signal.
 10. Theaudio/video output device according to claim 1, wherein the controllerallocates at least part of an area of the video memory to the secondoutput component and switch a right to use of the video memory from thefirst output component to the second output component in response todetermining that a video output format supported by the external deviceis supported by the second output component.
 11. The audio/video outputdevice according to claim 10, wherein the controller switches the rightto use and allow the first output component to output only audio signal.12. The audio/video output device according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller outputs audio signal from the second output component inresponse to determining that the external device does not support thevideo input.
 13. The audio/video output device according to claim 1,wherein the controller acquires identification information of theexternal device from the external device in response to detecting thatthe external device is connected to the second output component, and thecontroller determines whether the external device supports the videoinput based on the identification information.
 14. The audio/videooutput device according to claim 1, further comprising an audio memory,the controller allocating the audio memory to the first output componentto output audio signal stored in the audio memory from the first outputcomponent in response to determining that no external device isconnected to the second output component.
 15. The audio/video outputdevice according to claim 2, wherein the controller changes video outputformat setting of the predetermined video signal, and determines anallocation amount of the video memory to be allocated to the secondoutput component according to the video output format setting of thepredetermined video signal.
 16. The audio/video output device accordingto claim 1, wherein the message screen indicates that the second outputcomponent is dedicated to the audio output.
 17. The audio/video outputdevice according to claim 2, wherein the controller repeatedly changesvideo output format setting of the predetermined video signal untildetecting a predetermined operation relative to the audio/video outputdevice.
 18. The audio/video output device according to claim 2, whereinthe controller repeatedly changes video output format setting of thepredetermined video signal until detecting a disconnection of theexternal device relative to the second output component.
 19. Theaudio/video output device according to claim 2, further comprising avideo scaler that changes video output format of the predetermined videosignal.